Pakistan · Village Tours

11-Day Silk Road Tour of Northern Pakistan with Hunza and Khunjerab

11 Days Round trip from Islamabad Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Enjoy views of the Great Indus River along the Karakoram Highway
02 Visit the famous rock paintings at Shahtayal
03 Admire the meeting views of the Karakorum, Himalaya, and Hindukush
04 Explore the attractive Yasin Valley and Khalti Lake
05 See ibex and other mountain animals on the way to Khunjerab
06 Discover Hoper village and walk to its glacier
07 Visit the marvellous Kargah Buddha

Arrive in Islamabad and journey through northern Pakistan along the Silk Road, following the Great Indus River and the Karakoram Highway. Admire views of the Karakorum, Himalaya, and Hindukush ranges, visit Yasin Valley and Khalti Lake, and explore Hunza, Passu, Sost, and Hoper. The tour also includes Naltar Valley, Khunjerab National Park, and Kargah Buddha, with a final visit to Taxila before returning to Islamabad.

Arrive in Islamabad and journey through northern Pakistan along the Silk Road, following the Great Indus River and the Karakoram Highway.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 11 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Islamabad, Taxila, Gilgit, Hunza, Chilas, Naran, Besham, Khunjerab National Park

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Islamabad

Arrive late at night in Islamabad and transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 02

Islamabad to Chilas via Besham

After breakfast at 6 am, drive to Chilas, the first district of Gilgit-Baltistan.
On the way, stop for sightseeing and photography.
Enjoy views of the Great Indus River and the KKH.
Have lunch at Besham, midway between Islamabad and Chilas.
Visit the famous rock paintings at Shahtayal in KPK.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03

Chilas to Gahkuch through Gilgit

Drive to Gahkuch, the district headquarters of Ghizar.
On the way, stop at the viewpoint of Pakistan's second-highest mountain, Nagaparbat, at 8125 m.
Stop to embrace the three great mountain ranges of the Karakorum, Himalaya, and Hindukush.
Have lunch at Gilgit and drive to Gahkuch.
Stop to enjoy a mountain, a river, and a small village on the way.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04

Yasin Valley, Khalti Lake, and Phander

After breakfast, drive to Yasin Valley, one of the most attractive and natural valleys, located 62 km from Gahkuch.
After lunch in Yasin Valley, return to Khalti Lake and stay overnight at Phander.
Enjoy great views throughout the day.

Day 05

Khalti Lake to Karimabad in Hunza

Enjoy morning views of the river and lake, have breakfast, and drive to Gilgit.
Arrive in Gilgit for a short rest and tea stop.
Drive to Hunza.
Have lunch at the Rakaposhi viewpoint and continue to Karimabad.

Overnight in Hunza.

Day 06

Karimabad to Passu via Gulmit and Hussaini

Today, enjoy the sunrise at 4 am.
After the exciting activities, enjoy your breakfast.
Drive to Gulmit, the winter resort of the rulers of Hunza, which is especially famous for winter migratory bird hunting.
En route to Gulmit, observe the famous Ultar Peak from Ganish and then proceed to Gulmit.
Go on a short excursion to Hussaini, Ghulklin, and Gulmit village, and enjoy fine views of Passu Glacier and Gulkin Glacier.

Overnight at Passu.

Day 07

Passu to Khunjerab and back to Hunza

In the morning, drive to the border of Pakistan and China at above 4000 m.
Take a short rest at the top, and on the way, see ibex and other mountain animals.
On arrival, visit Sost, the border town where the Pakistan Customs office and dry port are located, as well as the business point between China and Pakistan.
Have lunch at Sost and drive back to Hunza for an overnight stay.

Day 08

Hoper Village and Glacier Excursion

Drive to Hoper village and its glacier for a day's excursion. This is a small natural village.
Visit Baltit and Altit forts and the women's carpet centre with your Pakistani guide in the afternoon.
Walk to the glacier and return to Hoper Village for lunch.
After lunch, return to Karimabad for overnight.

Day 09

Naltar Valley and Kargah Buddha

After breakfast, drive to Naltar Valley, a small and lovely valley and the ski resort of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Change your transport and visit Naltar in a 4-wheel-drive jeep.
After visiting Naltar Valley, drive back to Gilgit.
In the evening, visit Kargah Buddha with your Pakistani tour guide.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Gilgit to Naran or Besham

You have two options: the first is Gilgit to Besham, following the same route used on the way up. The second is through Naran Valley, where you will travel via Babusar Pass, a 4173 m mountain pass. Enjoy the lovely green valley, with lunch and meadows.

Overnight at Naran.

Day 11

Return to Islamabad via Taxila

After breakfast, drive to Islamabad.
On the way, visit Taxila and then finally reach Islamabad.
After a short visit to the capital, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Drive to the airport at 8 pm.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Islamabad 8 cities · 11 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Road transfer in a Toyota Coaster AC with 19 seats + 7 jump seats for 12 people
Toyota Coaster Saloon with 21 seats + 6 jump seats for 18 people
4-wheel-drive jeep for Naltar Valley
Hotel accommodation on a twin-sharing basis
All meals during the tour
Services of an English-speaking guide from Islamabad to Islamabad
Entrance fees for Altit and Baltit forts, Khunjerab National Park toll taxes, parking fees, etc.
Mineral water during meals

What's Not Included

International and domestic airfare and airport tax
Personal clothing and equipment
Extras at hotels, such as drinks, laundry, and phone calls
Insurance liability and other costs under force majeure conditions, medical aid, helicopter rescue coverage, etc.

Know before you go

This price is based on 18 people, and we can offer these packages in all seasons.
If you want to increase or decrease the number of days, we can arrange a tour according to demand.

Logistics